Advanced Conservation Internship

Objective:  Assist in the preservation of the NMM's collections

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to Conservator

Essential Functions:  Specialized conservation activities, including

• Scientific examination of artifacts
• Conservation of artifacts
• Documentation of condition and treatment

Special Qualifications:

• Enrollment in or completion of an accredited program in conservation, with a specialty relevant to the collections in the NMM (wooden artifacts, objects, paper, photographic materials, conservation sciences)
• Strong interest in the preservation of historical artifacts
• Experience with and interest in music or musical instruments

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Archival Internship

Objective:  Organize, catalog, preserve, and develop finding aids for archival materials in the NMM

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to Curator of Musical Instruments; consults with Conservator

Essential Functions:

• Sort and organize material from the archives of the NMM
• Catalog materials
• Perform research related to archive
• Input data into database, spread-sheet, and/or word-processing inventory lists
• Store archival material in acid-buffered materials
• Scan archival photographs, as appropriate
• Re-master older media to newer media, such as reel-to-reel tape recordings and cassettes to CDs/DVDs, etc., as appropriate
• Prepare written descriptions and finding aids for posting on NMM website

Special Qualifications:

• An interest in archival research
• Familiarity with Microsoft Access database and/or Excel software
• Familiarity with scanning photographs
• Familiarity with re-mastering older to newer media (sound recordings project only)

Examples of potential projects include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Musical instrument manufacturers' archive
• Sheet music collection
• Silent movie music collection
• Civil War era music collection
• Matt Petrik Bohemian dance band collection
• Christian Collection of zither music
• Bicentennial collection of music by South Dakota composers
• Sound recordings collection
• Program collection
• Hymnal and shape-note songbook collection
• Other archival collections at the NMM

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Cataloging Internship

Objective:  Organize, preserve, research, and catalog a select group of musical instruments and/or their accessories in the NMM's collections

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to Curator of Musical Instruments; works with NMM photographer; consults Conservator

Essential Functions:

• Create detailed catalog files for each object, including measurements
• Research object and dating
• Research object's provenance
• Assist NMM photographer with recommendations for photographic documentation of object
• Help process and integrate digital images into NMM's storage/retrieval system
• Record and report conservation needs
• Help store objects and assign locations
• Prepare inventories and/or checklists for publication on NMM website

Special Qualifications:

• Player's knowledge of musical instruments and their components

Some Examples:

The specific group of instruments and/or accessories chosen will relate to the intern's interests, as well as the NMM's needs. Some groups of instruments that may be chosen include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Brass or woodwind mouthpiece collections
• Portions of harmonica collection
• Accordion and concertina collection
• Mallet percussion instruments
• Bass drum collection
• Saxophone collection
• Trombone collection
• Tuba collection
• Sousaphone collection
• Reed organ collection
• Mandolin collection
• Various groups of ethnic, folk, or non-western instruments
• Instruments by a particular manufacturer, such as H. N. White (King), York, Selmer, etc.
• Specific groups of American and/or European brass, woodwind, or percussion instruments in the NMM's collections
• Brass, woodwind, or percussion parts and accessories collections
• Phonograph collection

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Collections Documentation Internship

Objective:  Document musical instruments in the NMM’s collections

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to Conservator and/or Curator of Musical Instruments

Essential Functions:  major participation in a documentation project related to the intern's experience and interests, such as

• Systematic measurement of groups of musical instruments (e.g., early keyboard instruments)
• Production of publishable technical drawings of specific instruments

Special Qualifications:

• Enrollment in or completion of an accredited BA, BS, BM or graduate-level program
• Appropriate skills or experience relevant to the specific project

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Curatorial Assistant Internship

Objective:  Assist with basic curatorial functions at the NMM

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to Curator of Musical Instruments

Essential Functions: Assist with routine curatorial activities at the NMM, including tasks such as, but not limited to, the following

• Sort, organize, catalog, store, and prepare inventories of material donated to the NMM
• Help process and integrate digital images into NMM's storage/retrieval system
• Help fulfill digital image orders received by NMM
• Conduct research related to NMM's collections
• Conduct research to answer NMM members' research inquiries
• Input catalog data into databases, spread-sheets, and/or word-processing inventory lists and catalog sheets
• Prepare written descriptions and finding aids for portions of the NMM's collections, for posting on NMM website
• Prepare instruments for storage
• Assist with instrument inventory control
• Maintain order in documentation files
• Assist visiting researchers

Special Qualifications:

• An interest in archival research
• Familiarity with Microsoft Access database and/or Excel software

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Introductory Conservation Internship

Objective:  Assist in the preservation of the NMM’s collections

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to Conservator

Essential Functions:  Routine conservation activities, including

• Cleaning of displayed objects
• Documentation
• Preparation of mounts

Special Qualifications:

• Enrollment in or completion of an accredited BA, BS, or graduate-level program
• Strong interest in the preservation of historical artifacts and collections in the museum environment

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Museum Education: Lending Materials Internship

Objective:  Develop lending materials that can be sent to schools and/or groups that are unable to come to the NMM for tours

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to Curator of Education

Essential Functions: 

• Determine appropriate school curriculum to be addressed
• Determine subject matter
• Choose appropriate materials that may include, but are not necessarily limited to
• Objects
• Images
• Reproductions
• Teachers' manuals
• Timelines
• Posters
• Develop all written materials
• Determine a budget
• Research funding possibilities

Special Qualifications:

• Interested in education
• Completion of, or in process toward, education degree desirable, but not required

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Museum Education:  Children's Website Development Internship

Objective:  Develop a "Children's Corner" on the NMM website

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to Curator of Education and NMM Webmaster

Essential Functions: 

• Develop a presence on the NMM website geared toward children that is specifically child-user-friendly

Special Qualifications:

• Demonstrable experience with website design and development
• Fluency with html coding preferred
• Familiarity with Macromedia Dreamweaver software or other similar website editor
• Ability to scan text and/or images
• Familiarity with PhotoShop or fluency with comparable photo editing software
• Familiarity with video and audio editing software

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Museum Management Internship

Objective:  Assist with the on-going management of tourism and public programming at the NMM

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to NMM Director and Director of Visitor Services

Essential Functions: 

• Assist with maintenance of NMM security
• Assist with visitor services at the NMM's front desk
• Assist with gift shop sales, both in person and by mail order
• Assist with management of visiting tour groups
• Assist with public programming events
• Assist with management of telephone inquiries
• Assist with fulfillment of eBay auction sales
• Prepare, conduct, and analyze visitor entrance and/or exit surveys
• Assist with the conception, preparation, and distribution of promotional materials for South Dakota's tourism industry
• Assist with the preparation and distribution of the NMM's newsletter
• Assist with the preparation and distribution of mailings concerning public programming
• Assist with the preparation and distribution of press releases
• Assist with annual gift shop inventory
• Assist NMM staff with various other on-going management tasks, as assigned

Special Qualifications:

• An interest in museum management
• Experience in marketing and event coordination
• Willingness to work weekends during internship

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NMM Library Internship

Objective:  Assist with the cataloging and preservation of NMM library holdings

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to NMM Director; consults with Curator of Musical Instruments

Essential Functions: 

• Organize and catalog currently unprocessed library materials at the NMM
• Preserve and store rare books and microforms in acid-buffered materials
• Shelve library materials

Special Qualifications:

• Completed MLS degree, or enrolled in second year of an accredited MLS program
• Basic reading knowledge of French, German, and Italian
• A background in music preferred, but not essential

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Oral History Internship

Objective:  Conduct interviews and assemble archival materials relating to South Dakota (or regional) musical history and/or the NMM's collections

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to Curator of Musical Instruments

Essential Functions: 

• Identify an area of research with guidance from NMM staff
• Build relationships with individuals who are sources of information
• Conduct recorded interviews related to area of research
• Transcribe interviews
• Conduct research related to project at historical societies and libraries, as well as utilizing online genealogical research resources
• Solicit donations of archival material related to area of research
• Sort, organize, and catalog archival material and digital images
• Input catalog data into database, spread-sheet, and/or word-processing inventory lists
• Store archival material and interview recordings in appropriate, acid-buffered materials
• Prepare written descriptions and finding aids for posting on NMM website and for cross-reference in South Dakota Oral History Center (if applicable)
• Produce an article and/or oral presentation about research findings

Special Qualifications:

• An interest in archival research
• Ability to conduct and transcribe oral interviews
• Ability to videotape interviews, as appropriate
• Familiarity with Microsoft Access database and/or Excel software

Some examples of projects include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Documentation of Native American drum and/or flute making
• History of a South Dakota or regional town band, orchestra, or other ensemble
• History of immigrant music-making activities in South Dakota and/or region
• Documentation and/or histories of South Dakota, or regional, musical instrument makers
• Documentation of biographies of persons whose archives are preserved at NMM

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Oral History Transcription Internship

Objective:  Transcribe taped interviews from the Carleen Hutchins' New Violin Family archive, the Arne B. Larson archive, and the South Dakota composers' archive (including the Marjorie Dudley archive and collection of U.S. Bicentennial radio interviews). Assist in the re-mastering and preservation of original interview media

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to Curator of Musical Instruments

Essential Functions: 

• Transcribe oral interviews
• Sort, organize, and catalog interviews and transcriptions
• Store archival material and interview recordings in appropriate, acid-buffered materials
• Assist in the re-mastering of original interview media, as appropriate
• Prepare written descriptions and finding aids for posting on NMM website and for cross-reference in South Dakota Oral History Center (if applicable)

Special Qualifications:

• An interest in archival research
• Ability to transcribe oral interviews

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Photographic Documentation Internship

Objective:  Conduct systematic photography of the NMM’s collections, primarily for internal documentary purposes

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to Curator of Musical Instruments; NMM Director; consults with Conservator; may work with NMM Photographer

Essential Functions: 

• Take documentary "mug shots" of musical instruments and other objects in the NMM's collections
• Help integrate these digital images into the NMM’s storage/retrieval system

Special Qualifications:

• Enrollment in or completion of an accredited BA, BS, BM, BFA, or graduate-level program
• Digital photographic experience
• Familiarity with PhotoShop or fluency with comparable photo editing software

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Research Database Development Internship

Objective:  Compile research databases for use by NMM staff, as well as other researchers, in the cataloging of musical instruments, their accessories, and their histories

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to Curator of Musical Instruments

Essential Functions: 

• Index contents of NMM's collection of musical instrument wholesalers' catalogs by inputting data into NMM's existing distributor database or
• Index contents of NMM's collection of Conn company periodicals by inputting data into NMM's existing Conn periodical research database or
• Assist with indexing music- and musical-instrument-related patents and trademarks in the U.S. Patent and Trade Gazette

Special Qualifications:

• Strong interest in contributing to facilitation of primary research
• Familiarity with Microsoft Access database software

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Website Assistant Internship

Objective:  Assist with the maintenance and development of the NMM's extensive website, including the development of checklists and other finding aids for the NMM's archives

Level of Responsibility:  Reports to NMM Webmaster

Essential Functions: 

• Assist webmaster with general, on-going maintenance and development of website
• Rip, prepare, and post audio clips from NMM recordings for posting on gift shop and appropriate checklists
• Prepare appropriate written descriptions and finding aids for portions of the NMM's archival collections (such as those currently enumerated on website) to be posted on website
• Scan, prepare, and post images on website to illustrate the written descriptions and finding aids for the NMM's archives

Special Qualifications:

• Demonstrable experience with website design and development
• Fluency with html coding preferred
• Familiarity with Macromedia Dreamweaver software or other similar website editor
• Ability to scan text and/or images
• Familiarity with PhotoShop or fluency with comparable photo editing software
• Familiarity with audio editing software

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Link to:  General Information about NMM Internships

Application Process:

Complete the internship application (available online in PDF format) and return it with a cover letter; three (3) letters of recommendation from people who can assess the applicant's background, skills, and capabilities for the desired internship; a resume; an essay of no more than 500 words describing the candidate's interest in the internship program, skills that would contribute to the internship, and career goals; and, academic transcripts (for applicants currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, an academic program).

Application deadlines:

Applications for summer internships: April 1
Applications for fall internships:  June 15
Applications for spring internships:  October 15
Applications for other time periods (6, 9, or 12 months) will be accepted at any time.

National Music Museum
The University of South Dakota
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069

©National Music Museum, 2007
Most recent update: October 18, 2007
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